Juan Gabriel Biography & News

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About Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel readies new album

The incomparable Mexican artist Juan Gabriel is finally putting the finishing touches on his highly anticipated studio album "Los Duo" (The Duets).

On January 13, 2015 fans finally got word on Gabriel's first single from the upcoming LP: the worldwide hit "Querida." This time around, it includes Latin rock superstar Juanes joining Gabriel on vocals for the special recording. This time, it will come two decades after the song's original release (1984), with synchronized vocals and some minor nuances while still retaining the original sounds.

One person who won't be featured on the February 13 album release is Jennifer Lopez. She reportedly recorded a song with Gabriel, but has chosen not to include it in his album. A report from the Latin Post said Gabriel was very selective of the album material, and he also eliminated other songs. Duets he reportedly recorded with Carla Morrison, La India and Franco de Vita also failed to make the cut.

According to other sources, it's possible Lopez didn't even get a chance to record with Gabriel at all. It's been said he also wanted to work with Christina Aguilera and Shakira for this album, but those duets did not happen.

About Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel (born Alberto Valadez) is one of Mexico's most touted vocalists, and as well he should be. A six-time Grammy nominee who has sold some 30 million albums, his career has more than outlasted what many called his "peak" back in 1985.

While it's true that Gabriel's heyday may have passed, no one should fail to recognize the accomplishments in a career that has spanned more than four decades. For instance, he was the recipient of the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 1995, and inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame the following year. No small feat for a guy had nine other siblings to compete with, was writing his own songs by the age of 13, and later changed his name to Adam Luna.

When Gabriel moved to Mexico City and changed his name again (to its current moniker), he finally found success with "No Tengo Dinero" (I Have No Money) in 1971. Over the next 14 years, he achieved international success, and later crossed over from singer to actor by appearing in such films as "Nobleza Ranchera," "Del Otro Lado del Puerte," and "Es Mi Vida."

A major dispute with BMT over control of his copyrights led Gabriel to an eight-year hiatus where he refused to record any new music. The two sides finally compromised in 1994, and Gabriel has pumped out nearly a new album every since then. His latest, 2012's "Celebrando," contains 13 tracks on CD and nine tracks on DVD to celebrate his more than 40-year career.